'The travels of Sir John Chardin into Persia and the East Indies, through the Black Sea, and the country of Colchis. Containing the author's voyage from Paris to Ispahan. To which is added, the coronation of the present King of Persia, Solyman the III.' [‎210] (243/594)

rrr 97^ 0/ John Chardin mfo Perfia,
and by force of Arms beat down the Work 5 and abus'd the
Workmen. And indeed the were glad of
thefe Seditions of the People, though they would not counte
nance 'em openly : For in regard they had not renounced the
Chriftian Religion bur only with their Lips, and to obtain Pre
ferment they ^could not heartily confent to the Eftabliflitnent
of Mahometifm. Now the Georgians are Mutinous, Inconflanc
and Valiant, as has been faid : They alfo retain a fmack and
fenfe of Liberty. Then they lie near the And this is
that which hinders the Per [tan from making ufe of Extremi-
ties and preferves to the City of Tefflis and all a hap
py Liberty to retain almoft all the Exteriour Marks of their
Religion. Upon all the Steeples of their Churches at the Top
ftands aCrofs; and they are furnilli'd withfeveral Bells which
they ring. Every day they fell openly, and in publick
with the fame freedom as other Vittles, and Wine at the Cor-
ners of the Streets. All which though the ferfians are mad
to fee, yet they know not how to help if.
Some few Years fince they built a fmall in the Fortrefs,
clofe to the Wall that feparates it from the Grand Pia%%a of
Tefflis. They built it in the Caftle to accuftom the People
to the fight of Mofques, and of the Priefts, that call the Mz-
hometans to Prayer from the Top of the Building. Nor could
the Georgians hinder the Building of this Mofque, becaufe they
durft not enter Arm'd into the Fortrefs, where there was al
ways a good Guard : But fo fooa as the Prieft was mounted
to the Top to make Confefllon of his Faith, the People ga-
ther'd together into the Pia^and ply'd the Top of the
Mofque with fuch Volleys of Stones, that the Prieft was con-
ftrain'd to come down again in more hafte then he went up:
after which Mutiny, the fe would never fuffer any of
their Priejis to appear at the Top of the Mofque any more.
The publick Buildings at are very graceful: Their
Bazars,or Market-places are very large, built of Stone, and
in very good repair. The Ior for the Re
ceipt and Entertainment of Strangers, are no lefs beautiful.
There are few Baths indeed in the City, by reafon that every
Body goes to the Hot-Baths that are in the Gaftle. The Water
of which Baths fprings from a Sulphur-Mine,and is very hot. So
that the People which make ufe of 'em for Dileafes and Di-
ftempers are no kfs numerous then thofe that go for Clean-
lineis and Curiofity. The Magazins alfo are well built, and